“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family”
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other” is a Christmas saying that has been printed on many images.
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other” was printed in the article “The Man Next Door” by Burton Hillis in Better Homes and Gardens for December 1953, “Burton Hillis” was the pseudonym for American columnist and author William W. “Bill” Vaughan (1915-1977).
Wikipedia: William E. Vaughan (journalist)
William E. ‘Bill’ Vaughan (October 8, 1915 – February 25, 1977) was an American columnist and author. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, he wrote a syndicated column for the Kansas City Star from 1946 until his death in 1977. He was published in Reader’s Digest and Better Homes and Gardens under the pseudonym Burton Hillis. He attended Washington University in St. Louis.
His folksy aphorisms (published in his “Starbeams” feature) are often collected in books and on Internet sites.
December 1953, Better Homes and Gardens (Des Moines, IA), “The Man Next Door” by Burton Hillis, pg. 222, col. 1:
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Newspapers.com
18 December 1953, Jackson (TN) Sun, pg. 4, col. 1:
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree—the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Google Books
The Inspirational Christmas Almanac:
Heartwarming Traditions, Trivia, Stories, and Recipes for the Holidays
By Honor Books
Colorado Springs, CO: Honor Books
2006
Pg. 43:
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.—Burton Hillis
Google Books
The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas:
The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas
By David McLaughlan
Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
2012
Pg. ?:
But the last word on gifts has to go to columnist and author Burton Hillis, who once wrote, “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
Bustle
14 Christmas Quotes About Family That Remind Us All What This Holiday Is Really About
By KATHRYN KATTALIA
Dec 25, 2015
(...)
8. “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” — Burton Hillis
Good Housekeeping
Here’s What to Write in a Christmas Card This Year
Cheerful? Check. Thoughtful? Check. A little funny, too? Check!
BY AMINA LAKE ABDELRAHMAN, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE AND ANDRA CHANTIM
Sep 4, 2019
(...)
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” —Burton Hills
House Beautiful
20 Perfect Quotes for Your Cozy Christmas Instagram Caption
They’re just the thing to accompany that fireplace pic.
BY KORIN MILLER
NOV 25, 2019
Burton Hills
“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”